Fifteen released their first record in 1991 on Lookout records. It was singer/guitarist Jeff Ott's vision to create music that didn't just rock, but had something important to say as well. After four records on Lookout, two on Grass Records, three on Sub City Records, and three more on indefinite self-published labels, Fifteen were viewed as the leaders in the political-punk music scene. They tackle such burning issues as homelessness, drug abuse, needle exchange, environmental destruction and the government's use of counterintelligence measures to violate activist's civil rights. Fifteen first broke up in 1996 after the self-released "extra medium kickball star."
They reformed in 1998 and released Hush and Survivor then disbanded 2000 with Jeff Ott stating that the anti-commercial DIY ethics of punk rock made it too expensive for him to have a band while raising a family.
The band had a total of fifteen members during its existence: Jeff Ott, Jack Curran, Mikey Mischief, Mark Moreno, Jean Repetto, Lucky Dog, Chris Flanagan, John Ogle, Jessie Wickman, Joe Cable, John Quintos, Scott Pierce, Jim Prior, Lisa D. and Vanessa Bain.
Inspiration
Fifteen Lyrics
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'Cause the world seems so depressing
But I know it can't always be
Can't always be that way
I get caught up in my situation
But I know my life's just begun
We all need Inspiration
And the thought of a hundred million smiles
From a hundred million miles away, I can hear the sound
Of a hundred millions burning definitions
And a hundred million dead restrictions
And a hundred million minds set free
From the chains put there a generation before
I can see the world falling to it's knees
Screaming please someone help me
Now I can see, we've destroyed ourselves with certainty
And this machine will crumble and fade
To a hundred million miles away
Where there's someone just like me
Thinking everything will be o.k.
From a hundred million miles I can see a man
And I know he understands
Saying your chains are your own
It's your mirror, so smash it.
The lyrics to Fifteen's song Inspiration are about feeling overwhelmed by negativity but finding hope and inspiration through a global perspective. The lead singer acknowledges that the world can be depressing and it's easy to get caught up in personal situations, but ultimately we should remember that life is just beginning and we need to seek inspiration. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of destruction and chaos, with a hundred million smiles alongside a hundred million buildings burning to the ground, a hundred million people breaking free from generational chains, and a hundred million minds unshackled from restrictions.
The song takes a turn towards personal empowerment and reflection when the singer sees someone who understands and says "your chains are your own," encouraging the listener to take control of their own life and smash their own reflection, their "mirror." This can be interpreted as breaking free from negative self-talk and self-imposed limitations. The song ends on a hopeful note with the idea that, from a distance of a hundred million miles, someone just like the singer believes that everything will be okay.
Line by Line Meaning
Negativity's too enchanting
Negative thoughts and feelings can be alluring or captivating
'Cause the world seems so depressing
This can occur because the world often appears bleak or disheartening
But I know it can't always be
Despite how things seem, there are times when the world is not depressing
Can't always be that way
The negativity and depression that may occur are not perpetual
I get caught up in my situation
The songwriter is sometimes preoccupied with their own issues or dilemmas
But I know my life's just begun
The songwriter believes that they have many opportunities and experiences ahead of them
We all need Inspiration
Everybody requires motivation or stimulation in various forms
And the thought of a hundred million smiles
The idea of massive amounts of people expressing delight brings positivity to the songwriter
And a hundred million buildings burning to the ground
The destruction of many structures does not have a bearing on the happiness of individuals
From a hundred million miles away, I can hear the sound
The songwriter is cognizant of the suffering and chaos felt by others from afar
Of a hundred millions burning definitions
The songwriter hears a cacophony of established ideas or beliefs being obliterated
And a hundred million dead restrictions
Many limitations or hindrances have been eliminated
And a hundred million minds set free
Numerous minds are liberated and have a newfound sense of freedom
From the chains put there a generation before
These individuals have been unshackled from the restraints established by previous generations
I can see the world falling to it's knees
The songwriter perceives the world succumbing to its problems or crises
Screaming please someone help me
People are crying out for assistance or aid
Now I can see, we've destroyed ourselves with certainty
The writer acknowledges that humanity has self-sabotaged with conviction
And this machine will crumble and fade
The entity or society that has been constructed will deteriorate and vanish
To a hundred million miles away
This will occur even if people are far removed from it
Where there's someone just like me
There are other individuals who relate to the songwriter's ideas and perspective
Thinking everything will be o.k.
These individuals believe that everything will ultimately be alright
From a hundred million miles I can see a man
The songwriter can envision somebody far away
And I know he understands
This individual comprehends the situation or situation at hand
Saying your chains are your own
This person is stating that people are responsible for their own burdens or issues
It's your mirror, so smash it.
This individual commands others to shatter their perceptions of themselves or of the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL BECKER, PAUL REVELLI, GENE STASHUK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind